What do I need to know about Equality and Diversity?All public bodies are subject to guidance, statutory and legal duties around the areas of equality and diversity.The Race Relations Act 1976 forms the legal foundation of protection from racial discrimination in the fields of employment, education, training, housing and the provision of goods, facilities and services. The Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 requires named public authorities to review their policies and procedures; to remove discrimination and the possibility of discrimination; and to actively promote race equality. The Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000) gives universities and colleges a statutory general duty to promote race equality. The aim of the duty is to:
Discrimination on religious grounds is illegal in the workplace. The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 came into force on 2 December 2003. The Regulations serve to promote equality and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of 'religion or belief'. It is also unlawful to discriminate against a person for not having a specific religion or belief. Age Discrimination Law came into force in October 2006 The Regulations provide protection against age discrimination in employment, training and adult education, for people of all ages. Since December 2006, there has been a legal duty on all public sector organisations to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. The Gender Equality Duty came into force on 6 April 2007. All public authorities must demonstrate that they are promoting equality for women and men and that they are eliminating sexual discrimination and harassment. They are also required to have a gender-equality scheme in place by the end of April 2007 Part 2 of the Equality Act 2006: Discrimination on Grounds of Religion or Belief came into force on 30 April 2007. The provisions of the Act make discrimination in the area of goods, facilities and services on grounds of religion or belief unlawful. For universities and colleges this means admissions, benefits and services for students, and treatment of students. Universities and colleges have a duty to promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, religion, disability or age. Any students following courses that will lead them into public sector environments will need to be aware of the issues and understand the implications for their work, especially as teachers, lecturers or employees of public care bodies. In order for organizations to actively promote equalities there has to be an understanding of the issues. There has to be an agreed approach and a common understanding. The Equality and Diversity Shop aims to enable this common vision and facilitate active promotion through positive training and consultancy. |
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